Gater-Pro

Gater-Pro by SPC Plugins is a useful and inspiring stereo trance gate effect. Each time I launch it and create a gated sequence I discover something unique that sparks my creativity. Naturally, it's perfect for trance, but it can also help drive any other kind of rhythmic-based audio. If you're not looking for a robotic sound simply engage the swing feature and bring some humanity back into the mix. I plan to use it on pads, drones, and eBow'd guitar lines to help create a pulse and shimmer that is in sync with the track. While researching, I found a useful suggestion from a fellow user, "You don't need to have the gate at 100% wet, but a hint of Gater-Pro on an effect return can provide some lift to the mix."

PROS

• Simple, neat and clean interface.
• Cool features: swing control, switchable rates, three gate shapes, etc.
• Bypass switch.
• CPU friendly.
• Stable.
• Inexpensive.
• Responsive developer (good communication and frequent updates).

CONS

• I can't think of any, but adding a zillion presets would be nice.

CONCLUSION

I highly recommend Gater-Pro for any eMusician, producer, sound designer, DJ, etc., who is creating rhythmic music. It's an excellent little plugin that can make a BIG difference if used wisely. Tommy Zai gives Gater-Pro two perfectly sync'd thumbs up. Thank you, SPC, for creating such a cool audio tool.

"Two thumbs UP!" - Fiskel and Egbert.

Gater-Pro is an incredibly useful tool. It doesn't matter if you don't make tarnce music, this step-gate can be used for all sorts of purposes. By using a few clever step-ties, and the mix and envelope controls, it is possible to put instruments in their place. De-mud and add some groove and space to a reverb-washed or frequency-challenged instrument. The swing control also makes it easy to slot Gater-Pro into any track.

I am personally finding new uses for Gater-Pro each time I use it. Think outside the box...

Make a gated sequence that is chopped and swung (swinged :P) to the extreme and fits with the groove of the track, now back it off with the dry/wet mix control.
Try this on reverb busses even, with Gater-Pro on a reverb you can create some amazing pulses that add to the movement of the track. You don't need to have the gate at 100% wet, but a hint of Gater-Pro on an effect return can provide some lift to the mix. My theory is, when you leave 'holes' in reverb tails, they are filled with the natural reverb of the club or venue you are playing at. They sort of mesh and can create an amazing reverb that sits well and isn't so muddy.

Sometimes I even use Gater-Pro in a bit of a transient designer style, by creating gates which maybe cut off something like a long snare, then using the decay envelope and perhaps mix control, it's possible to add something to the groove, SUBTRACTIVELY!! (if that's a word :P).

Gater-Pro earns a 10 out of 10 from me, with this version 2 release. It's incredibly useful, stable, and also very light on the CPU. Not to mention very affordable! Check it out! and HAVE FUN!.